Bill > H0488

This bill establishes the fiscal year 2026 Transportation Program for Vermont, with a comprehensive approach to transportation infrastructure, sustainability, and innovation. The bill includes significant investments in various transportation initiatives, such as a $2.4 million Park and Ride Program creating 60 new state-owned parking spaces, a $21.8 million Bike and Pedestrian Facilities Program supporting 33 construction projects across multiple towns, and a $6.4 million Transportation Alternatives Program focusing on environmental mitigation and bicycle-pedestrian infrastructure. The legislation also introduces a mileage-based user fee for battery-electric vehicles, planned to commence on January 1, 2027, with the intent of creating a fee approximately equivalent to fuel tax revenue from traditional vehicles. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for improving transportation services, such as grants for public transit volunteer coordinators, efforts to expand volunteer driver pools for medical transportation, and studies on coordinating healthcare and transportation services. The bill also makes technical corrections to various transportation-related statutes, updates processes for railroad rights-of-way, and modifies the Dig Safe system by extending marking timeframes from 48 to 72 hours. Overall, the legislation aims to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, improve transportation infrastructure, and create more sustainable and efficient transportation systems in Vermont.

Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

Transportation (House)

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.488